Shopping list? Check!

I am supposed to be finishing my vows tonight. So far, I have swept and mopped the whole apartment, picked out my clothes for the rest of the week, made 4 new lists, and decided to write this blog. I tend to procrastinate when I am afraid of tackling a big chore.

To clear my mind of all the vow brainstorming, I’d like to write about something else dear to my heart. Shopping.

It must seem to all of you that I have a shopping problem, and by problem, I mean addiction. Obviously, I love shopping. It just feels good to buy something beautiful. Take it home in a nice bag. Open my new present and gaze upon it. Then, when the right day comes, put it on and feel beautiful and brand new. Retail therapy may be the most effective therapy for this girl.

I should be honest though, and admit that most of my shopping this year has been window shopping, actual and virtual window shopping. I made a vow to myself, after moving to NYC, that I would only purchase new clothes, shoes, or accessories, if they were “needed” (Fiance hates when I use this word) for the wedding or a wedding event (i.e. shower, bachelorette party, etc)

I guess I also have to be honest and say that I slipped once and bought a few things I did not need. Just a few, and they were 50% off! Whew, feels good to get that off my chest.

I have always had a love of shopping and getting new clothes. While growing up, my Mother would take my sister and I shopping for new school clothes each year, often on tax-free weekend. After our all-day shopping spree, I would come home and lay out all my new clothes on my bed. I would re-arrange them into different outfits, then put them in order of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd day of school. Making a fashionable impression the first day of school was always high priority. I am sure my 5th grade classmates were very impressed with my choice of blue jean overalls.

My Mother also got us new outfits every year for Christmas, Easter, any other really special occasion, and a new swimsuit for the summer. I should probably thank her for instilling a sense of fashion and an importance of new clothes for special occasions. Or, at least make Fiance call her when he gets tired of hearing, “But, St. Patrick’s day is a holiday, and it does require a new outfit!”

So, over the last 10 months I have been purchasing clothes and accessories when I thought, “Oh this would be perfect for a wedding shower!” or “This tank top is exactly what I need for Disney!” or “Pink? Rhinestones? 5 inches? The perfect wedding shoe!”

The other night, I started rummaging through all of my purchases (I kept them hidden so I wouldn’t be tempted to wear them early), and realized that I had EVERYTHING I needed for the wedding, the week at Disney, and even Costa Rica. Everything from a Mickey and Minnie in love tee, to a travel themed dress for the rehearsal dinner. I was so impressed with my ability to buy the exact number of needed pieces, AND even more impressed with my own determination to NOT wear any of these new clothes for months!

Fiance was not as impressed.

I tried to further impress him by describing the budget I created for myself.

“SEE! I even sat aside money for hair appointment, manicure, Disney car rental, our rehearsal dinner…AND I still have money set aside to get the last minute necessities from Sephora! I am so responsible!”

Again, he was not impressed.

Fiance and I have a difference of opinions when it comes to what I NEED.

I didn’t let his lack of praise phase me. I headed to Sephora right after work to pick up my final items (travel soaps and shampoos, perfume, eye makeup remover, and travel-sized lotion). That’s it. I am completely done shopping for the wedding.